January 23, 2013, Sierra Club General Meeting7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Litzsinger School, 10094 Litzsinger Road at Lindbergh Blvd., Ladue, MO 63124 (map)Paul Krautmann, an organic farmer with Earthdance Farms, will talk about using ecosystems to grow crops and will offer a few tips for the home gardener. (Note earlier start time of 7 p.m..)

February 27, 2013, Sierra Club General Meeting7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Litzsinger School, 10094 Litzsinger Road at Lindbergh Blvd., Ladue, MO 63124 (map)Rick Hunter, CEO of Microgrid Solar, will discuss the 'triple
bottom line' as a practice of sustainable business

Hearings on Current and Jacks Fork Rivers Postponed until Early JanuaryThree National Park Service meetings on the future of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways originally scheduled for December have been postponed for four weeks. We need everyone to take advantage of this opportunity and speak up to protect the rivers. The new dates are as follows:

Tuesday, January 7 at 6 p.m. at the Van Buren Youth and Community Center. Wednesday, January 8 at 10 a.m. at the Salem City Hall Auditorium. Wednesday, January 8 at 6 p.m. a the Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in Kirkwood.

A New Year at Hawn State ParkWe will start another year of service work at Hawn State Park where we left off -- deep in the back country of the park. Last year we removed about 2.5 miles of old fence, an illegal campsite and over 5 bags of trash. We plan to finish removing the fence we started on as well as clean up about a mile of trail that has a lot of down trees.

We will meet at the Park Office at 8:30 so we can be in the back country by 9:15. As always bring your leather gloves, lunch and water. See you on Wednesday, January 15 and/or Wednesday, February 12 at Hawn State Park. For more information please contact Paul Stupperich (314-429-4352) or Paul Ohlendorf.

Outings Leader Training for Sierra Club Members

Join us on February 22, Saturday for Outings Leader Training. This is an all day event (8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) at Babler State Park Visitor Center. Cost is $10 per trainee and registration is required with Marilyn Harlan at 314-966-8797.

Our experienced EMG outings leaders will update current Sierra Club leaders and help new trainees learn the best ways to lead local outings to their favorite places. This workshop covers the basic requirements: Outings Leader Training 101 and basic first aid. Remember to bring your lunch and cup.

Twelfth Annual Winter Sing-Along ExtravaganzaSemi-musical Sierrans of extremely varying skill levels fulfill their musical destiny. Songs range from Stephen Foster to the early Bob Dylan. Betsey has agreed to play harmonica again and Linda has committed to bringing her guitar. Attendees are welcome to bring refreshments. Join us at 7 p.m. Saturday, February 1 at the Sierra Club Office, 7164 Manchester Avenue in Maplewood. Call George Behrens at (314) 821-0247. In case of inclement weather (snow or ice), call George to see if event is cancelled.

Make Honey in 2014!The Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association (EMBA) will offer courses of instruction for beginners and experienced beekeepers on Saturday, February 8, 2014 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Maritz, Fenton, Missouri. This is an all-day workshop, and your tuition includes your lunch, beverages, an authoritative reference book tied to the speakers' curriculum, a selection of periodicals, the latest beekeeping supply catalogs, and more. Registration is $75 before January 19th and $90 thereafter. Register on-line or call 314-669-1828.

Green Time TV - THE EARTHGreen Time appears in four Missouri areas. See the webpage at greentime.tv.
In the St. Louis area it airs at noon on Saturdays and 5:30 p.m.
Wednesdays on Channel 24-1 and at 8 p.m. on Mondays on Channel 24-2 on
these dates:

January 4 & 6: "What Is Dirt?" Teresa Morris and Sarah Heyman
explore a healthy balance of physical, chemical, and biological
components of soil. They look at what soil is and its
interconnectedness with humanity.

January 11 & 13:
"Threats to Dirt!" Sarah Heyman and Teresa Morris address how adding
chemicals for crop yields deplete physical and biological potentials.
What would happen if all the dirt were to blow away?

January 18
& 20: "Rio + 20: What Went Wrong?" Green Time connects by skype
with Anne Petermann, who explains that privatization of nature under the
"green" economy is causing massive land grabs around the world.

January
25 & 27: "Stop the Takeover of Nature." Dr. Fredric Raines and
Henry Robertson explain that "reversing the trend toward a globalized
financial economy" means both supporting local efforts and managing a
commons sustainably.

January shows will feature portions of "DIRT! The Movie," "Rio+20: From
Sustainable Development to Green Economy," and "Stop the Takeover of
Nature by Financial Markets." To volunteer to help produce Green Time call 314-727-8554 or email Don Fitz.